Carrying poles for stretcher-bearing

ABSTRACT

A HOLLOW STRETCHER CARRYING POLE OF REINFORCED SYNTHETIC PLASTICS MATERIAL HAVING AT LEAST ONE LONGITUDINAL RIB.

Sept. 20, 1971 STQLLENWERK 3,605,137

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INVENTOR. H/WS S/QLLE/VM/EKJK United States Patent US. Cl. 5--82 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hollow stretcher carrying pole of reinforced synthetic plastics material having at least one longitudinal rib.

The present invention relates to carrying poles for stretcher-bearing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional stretchers have carrying poles made of wood or metal between which is stretched a sheet of canvas material for supporting the patient or other sick person who is to be carried on the stretcher. The wooden carrying poles used are generally of solid oblong or square cross-section. These poles may alternatively be made of metal in tubular form, the stretcher canvas being provided along each of its longer sides with a seam, forming a tubular pocket, through which the poles are pushed, similar to the constructions used in camp beds.

The poles are also sometimes made from profiled metal of rectangular, including square, cross-section; the longer sides of the stretcher canvas, which have to be secured to the poles, are sometimes provided with a narrow hollow seam, for receiving a rod, so as to produce a thickened reinforced edge running the full length of the canvas material. For fixing, this reinforced edge is inserted into a slot, running the length of the pole, which widens into the pole to form a channel.

For manipulating the stretcher, carrying handles are provided at the ends of the poles. These handles can either be pulled out of or unfolded from the poles.

However, such poles have the disadvantage of being either too heavy and unwieldy in construction and design for the purpose they are intended to serve, or in need of protective coverings as a guard against corrosion, if the poles are made of metal. Even when lightweight metals, such as aluminum, are used, protective coverings are still needed. Moreover, metal poles are comparatively inelastic and thus, when temporary overloading occurs, as may arise, for example, during acceleration and deceleration in the transporting of the stretcher take-offs and landings when the stretcher is carried by helicopter, no possibility of elastic deformation or bending such as may serve to overcome the momentary effects of inertial, centrifugal or other forces is provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stretcher carrying pole which overcomes or mitigates the above mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a hollow stretcher carrying pole of reinforced synthetic plastics material, having at least one longitudinal rib.

Preferably, the pastics material is polyester resin, polyamides or the like.

The rib should preferably be tubular in form and have a longitudinal slot either facing outwards or in communication with the interior of the hollow body, the width of the slot being smaller than the inside transverse dimension of the ribs. Alternatively, the ribs may be in the form of beading having a substantially semi-circular cross-section.

3,605,137 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 The pole is made by conventional means from a plastics material such as polyester resin, polyamide or the like, reinforced with, for example, glass fibres.

The elasticity and strength of the hollow pole can be determined by judicious choice of the dimensions, number and positioning of the or each rib in the outer or inner walls thereof. One or other of the ribs on the poles can be used for attaching the stretcher canvas. The plastics material may be tinted, especially in the final layer, so that the poles receive the desired colouring in the course of manufacture.

A stretcher incorporating carrying poles such as here proposed is extremely light in weight, making it particularly useful for rescue service in diflicult conditions, such as in mountaineering, or for rescue work performed by women, as may be necessary in times of emergency or when catastrophes occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates end views of three embodiments of carrying poles having internal ribs;

FIG. 2 illustrates end views of three embodiments of carrying poles in which the ribs are formed internally;

FIG. 3 illustrates end views of three further embodiments of carrying poles similar to FIG. 2 having modified external ribs and,

FIG. 4 illustrates end views of three embodiments of carrying poles each having one internal rib.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Each of the figures shows three poles of generally triangular, circular and square tubular cross-section respectively. Thus, FIG. 1 shows three end views of carrying poles with internal ribs 1, on the inner wall of the hollow profile, each rib being in communication with the internal face of the pole across a slot 2, the width of the slot being smaller than the inside diameter of the rib 1.

The stretcher carrying poles are made of synthetic plastics material such as polyester resin, polyamide or the like and may be reinforced, for example, by glass fibres.

By judicious choice of the dimensions and number of ribs 1, not only can the strength of the poles for carrying be varied Within wide limits, but elasticity can also be imparted to them, so that the poles themselves become springy and eliminate jolting of the stretcher, for example, during conveyance in an ambulance.

As in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows three end views of carrying poles having hollow profiles of triangular, circular and square cross-section respectively, but here the ribs 1 lie on the outer faces of the carrying poles and are in communication through narrow slots 2 with the interior of the hollow poles.

FIG. 3 likewise shows three hollow profiles similar to the basic shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 viz, triangular, circular and square in cross-section but in this case the ribs 1 are in the form of beadings, 3., on the outer faces of the profiles.

FIG. 4 again shows three hollow profiles having the same basic cross-sectional shapes as those in FIGS. 1 to 3, but with only a single rib 1 extending into the interior of the profile, instead of the three or four such ribs as shown in FIG. 1.

With poles of this design, there is the further possibility of slipping accessories and appliances over the poles, for example, stretcher feet, or sledge runners, for which the internally or externally extending ribs as shown in FIG. 1 or 2 offer a reliable means of attachment, since both the internal and external ribs 1 constitute a kind of longitudinal toothing of the pole faces, so that any accessories need only to be secured, by suitable means, longitudinally in relation to the poles.

Although in FIGS. 1 to 3 the ribs, whether of the kind shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of that shown in FIG. 3, are symmetrically distributed, at least as regards the circular and square pole cross-sections, over the faces of these profiles, an arrangement is also possible whereby the ribs are concentrated on one side only, to give the poles increased or reduced bending strength in a particular direction.

Although the drawings illustrate profiles of only triangular, circular and square cross-sections, the poles may be of other hollow cross-sections, such as oblong or polygonal in accordance with the invention.

Stretchers provided with poles conforming to the invention are not only very strong, but also inherently elastic, making them eminently suitable for conveyance both by stretcher bears and also by ambulance.

I claim:

1. In a stretcher which is usable for carrying disabled persons, which includes a pair of stretcher carrying poles between which is stretched a sheet of canvas or the like on which the person to be carried is supported, and which may include feet, runners and the like, each of the stretcher carrying poles being hollow and being made of synthetic materials, such as polyester resin, polyamide and the like, and reinforced, such as with glass fibers;

each of the poles having at least one longitudinal rib integrally formed therein, with the rib being disposed internally of the pole and opening to the exterior of the pole through a longitudinal slot of a width less than the major internal cross-sectional dimension of the rib and arranged so that the rib constitutes a guide and attachment means for the stretcher canvas and for the feet, runners and the like.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of the poles has a circular cross-section.

.3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of the poles has a rectangular cross-section.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of the poles has a triangular cross-section.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the rib and the slot extend the full length of the pole.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,931 4/1956 Ganahl 13 8-76 2,761,153 9/1956 Mew 5--82X 3,040,340 6/1962 Davis 5-82 3,491,999 1/1970 Lindler 272--59 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,350,403 1/1964 France 5-82 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner 

